Primary care who doesn’t see sick pts

[Anonymous]

what kind of fresh hell is this?

if my doctor told me he doesn't see sick patients, i would be finding a new doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it unreasonable to expect your primary care physician see you when you’re sick? I’m referring to sore throat, severe coughing, low grade fever, cold that lingers kind of symptoms. Mine says to test at home or go to urgent care. I’m considering firing her but don’t want to go to concierge or find myself in the same position again.

I think this is where we are, at least in the DMV -- if you are sick and need to be seen right away, you go to urgent care. Primary care is so overwhelmed they simply can't fit us in. Which is wild because you can't get in for a physical either; the straw that broke the camel's back and pushed me to concierge was when I called for an annual physical and the earliest appt they could give me was 6 months out.

I'm very glad I found a concierge doctor who is a good match, and tbh I'm quite a bit healthier now than when I first saw her a year and a half ago. But I get that it isn't an option for everyone. My DH who is super healthy does not go to her, he has stayed in-network, but almost never needs a doctor's visit, is not on any meds, and does not do annual physicals.

[Anonymous]

Find a new doctor.

[Anonymous]

There is no need to be seen in person unless your oxygen level is very low (buy a meter online) or you can't keep anything in and zofran isn't working although there is a major shortage of IV's and they might not be given you one anyway. Why would you need to get everyone else ill?

[Anonymous]

There is a need to see a sick pt when symptomatic for too many reasons to list. The medical system is broken and we are all free to make each other sick. I have health issues that require me to tease out virus v bacterial. An antiviral needs to be taken as soon as possible. Virus’ like to attack vital organs and our bodies are a great host for bacteria to grow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, they don’t want you to come in with a virus because there’s nothing medically they can offer you and you’re just going to get other people sick. So it depends on the symptoms.

I partially agree with this. But I have asthma, and this attitude on the part of the scheduler at my doctor's office led to me getting two cases of pneumonia and one case of bronchitis that went untreated for weeks. After that, my doctor gave me her email and told me to bypass the scheduler and she'd fit me in. Sometimes you need someone to listen to your lungs and figure out if you have something like pneumonia or bronchitis and need antibiotics, steroids, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no need to be seen in person unless your oxygen level is very low (buy a meter online) or you can't keep anything in and zofran isn't working although there is a major shortage of IV's and they might not be given you one anyway. Why would you need to get everyone else ill?

clearly you don't have asthma or a tendency to get pneumonia or bronchitis. sometimes people need antibiotics or steroids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no need to be seen in person unless your oxygen level is very low (buy a meter online) or you can't keep anything in and zofran isn't working although there is a major shortage of IV's and they might not be given you one anyway. Why would you need to get everyone else ill?

My doctor will not treat with antibiotics or steroids in less I come in. But, when I go in she refuses to test. I end up doing virtual or er monthly. You are healthy spa cold is no big deal. It’s not for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no need to be seen in person unless your oxygen level is very low (buy a meter online) or you can't keep anything in and zofran isn't working although there is a major shortage of IV's and they might not be given you one anyway. Why would you need to get everyone else ill?

clearly you don't have asthma or a tendency to get pneumonia or bronchitis. sometimes people need antibiotics or steroids.

Virtual tells me to go to the er.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no need to be seen in person unless your oxygen level is very low (buy a meter online) or you can't keep anything in and zofran isn't working although there is a major shortage of IV's and they might not be given you one anyway. Why would you need to get everyone else ill?

clearly you don't have asthma or a tendency to get pneumonia or bronchitis. sometimes people need antibiotics or steroids.

Virtual tells me to go to the er.

.

ER will tell you to go to primary care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no need to be seen in person unless your oxygen level is very low (buy a meter online) or you can't keep anything in and zofran isn't working although there is a major shortage of IV's and they might not be given you one anyway. Why would you need to get everyone else ill?

What if you need a blood test or have sepsis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no need to be seen in person unless your oxygen level is very low (buy a meter online) or you can't keep anything in and zofran isn't working although there is a major shortage of IV's and they might not be given you one anyway. Why would you need to get everyone else ill?

Why have doctors at all if every accountant, school teacher, cashier, flight attendant and lawyer can self diagnose?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want to get others sick op? Use telahealth.

a) it's telehealth, not telahealth
b) how can you test for strep or flu with a telehealth visit?

DP but you can buy home strep kits on Amazon very cheap. You can also buy Covid/Flu combo tests for cheaper than a co-pay. Some telehealth providers will let you test while on camera during the visit and call in a prescription for antibiotics or Tamiflu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want to get others sick op? Use telahealth.

a) it's telehealth, not telahealth
b) how can you test for strep or flu with a telehealth visit?

DP but you can buy home strep kits on Amazon very cheap. You can also buy Covid/Flu combo tests for cheaper than a co-pay. Some telehealth providers will let you test while on camera during the visit and call in a prescription for antibiotics or Tamiflu.

And do they sell tests on Amazon for meningitis or instructions to tell you how to self diagnose sepsis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unreasonable, but I probably would just go to urgent care for this since my doctor would never be able to fit me in same day. My kids' ped would and I would fire them if they couldn't.

Have you tried to get into an urgent care? It’s challenging.

There are about 6 urgent cares within 5 minutes of my house. It's not challenging at all. It can be slow, but not horrible. We go for sprained ankles/wrists (X-rays) and strep tests.